Almost 1,300 students are eligible to participate in Wichita State University’s 125th fall commencement ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 in Charles Koch Arena. 

All graduates will walk across the stage and be individually recognized. Doctoral candidates will be hooded at this ceremony.  

Dr. Mona Nemer will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. An honorary degree is an exceptional honor bestowed upon a person without fulfillment of the usual requirements. It is conferred only upon persons of notable intellectual, scholarly, professional, creative achievement or service to humanity consistent with the endeavors of WSU.

Nemer, who graduated from Wichita State with a bachelor's of science in chemistry and minors in French and mathematics in 1977, is the chief science advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Her mandate is to provide advice on issues related to science and government policies that support it. This includes advising on ways to ensure that science is considered in policy decisions and that government science is fully available to the public.

All graduation attendees will be required to be screened by security personnel and metal detectors as they enter the arena. Koch Arena will open at 1 p.m. We recommend audience members arrive early to allow sufficient time to get through security. There will also be a clear-bag policy for all those in attendance.

Read commencement security guidelines

Please note that guest seating will be on a first-come basis, and no tickets will be required for entrance.

Wichita State staff reserves the right to prohibit any items deemed inappropriate. Please note the following items that are specifically prohibited:

• Outside food and drink
• Weapons not allowed by law
• Noisemakers
• Pocket and box knives
• Alcohol and drugs

For individuals unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be available via webcast. To view the ceremony, go to wichita.edu/commencement and click on "Watch the Livestream.” The site will go live at about 2:25 p.m. Dec. 18.

Please be aware that there will be no printed programs distributed at commencement. There will be an order-of-events handout with a QR code to access the program digitally.